A golf club simulation apparatus includes an elongate shaft housing having opposed lower and upper ends and defining an interior area. A club head member is coupled to the lower end of the shaft housing. A battery is situated in one of the club head member and the shaft housing. An input member configured to receive club selection data is coupled to an outer surface of the shaft housing and electrically connected to the battery. A mass variability assembly is electrically connected to the input member and includes a weight member situated in the shaft housing that is selectively movable therein according to the club selection data. An electronics module having an angular sensing sensor is situated in the club head member. A bend variability assembly is included in the shaft housing for selectively altering a “feel characteristic” of the shaft housing during a swing motion.
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1. A golf club simulation apparatus, comprising: a shaft housing having opposed lower and upper ends and defining an interior area there between; a club head member coupled to said lower end of said shaft housing and defining an open space; a battery situated in one of said club head member and said shaft housing; an input member coupled to an outer surface of said shaft housing and electrically connected to said battery, said input member being configured to receive club selection data; and a bend variability assembly electrically connected to said input member and including a tubular bend shaft positioned in said interior area of said shaft housing adjacent said upper end thereof and selectively movable through said upper end toward a retracted configuration inside said interior area and toward an extended configuration outside of said interior area, said bend variability assembly including a bend linkage having a threaded rod having a first end operatively coupled to a bend shaft motor and a second end coupled to said tubular bend shaft and configured to selectively move said tubular bend shaft linearly into or out of said shaft housing upon actuation of said bend shaft motor wherein said bend shaft is constructed of a semi-rigid material that will bend in a predetermined manner depending on the torque and angular momentum experienced by the shaft housing; wherein said bend shaft is more flexible proportionate to a distance said bend shaft is extended out of said shaft housing.
A golf club simulation apparatus includes a shaft housing, a club head attached to the shaft's lower end, and a battery. An input allows club selection. A bend variability assembly adjusts shaft flexibility. It uses a motor-driven threaded rod to move a semi-rigid tubular bend shaft in/out of the shaft housing's upper end. The bend shaft's material allows bending based on torque and angular momentum. The further the bend shaft extends, the more flexible the shaft housing becomes, simulating different club flex characteristics.
2. The golf simulation apparatus as in claim 1 , further comprising: a mass variability assembly electrically connected to said input member and having a weight member situated in said shaft housing that is selectively movable therein according to said club selection data; wherein said mass variability assembly includes: a mass variation motor positioned in said interior area of said shaft housing that is electrically connected to said battery and to said input member; a mass linkage including a threaded rod having a first end operatively coupled to said mass variation motor and a second end extending away from said mass variation motor, said weight member being operatively coupled to said threaded rod and configured to selectively move up or down along said threaded rod when said mass variation motor is actuated selectively according to said club selection data and only prior to a golf swing.
The golf simulation apparatus described previously, which features a shaft housing, club head, battery, input, and bend variability assembly, also includes a mass variability assembly. This assembly contains a weight inside the shaft housing that moves based on the club selection data. A mass variation motor, powered by the battery and controlled by the input, drives a threaded rod. The weight is attached to this rod and moves up or down when the motor activates prior to a swing, simulating different club head weights and their impact on swing feel.
3. The golf club simulation apparatus as in claim 1 , comprising: an electronics module positioned in said open space of said club head member and electrically connected to said battery; wherein said electronics module includes: a motion sensor configured to detect movement of said club head member, said motion sensor generating motion data; an angular sensing assembly configured to detect a geometric angle of said shaft housing, said angular sensing assembly generating angle data; a vibrator positioned proximate said upper end of said shaft housing and configured in wireless communication with said electronics module; wherein said motion sensor and said angular sensing assembly are configured to generate a vibration activation signal when said motion data and said angle data are indicative that said shaft housing is in motion and that said club head member is proximate a ground surface; and wherein said vibrator is actuated upon receiving said vibration activation signal.
This golf club simulator, with a shaft housing, club head, battery, and input, incorporates an electronics module in the club head. This module contains a motion sensor for detecting club head movement and an angular sensor for detecting the shaft angle. These sensors generate motion and angle data. A vibrator, located near the top of the shaft, wirelessly communicates with the electronics module. When the motion and angle data show the club is swinging and the head is near the ground, a vibration activation signal is sent, and the vibrator provides haptic feedback.
4. The golf simulation apparatus as in claim 1 , comprising a grip member having a proximal end operatively coupled to said upper end of said shaft housing and a distal end displaced from said proximal end, said grip member defining an interior chamber.
The golf simulation apparatus, which includes a shaft housing, club head, battery, input, and bend variability assembly, also has a grip attached to the shaft's upper end. The grip defines an interior chamber inside the handle.
5. The golf simulation apparatus as in claim 4 , comprising: a magnet positioned in said interior chamber of said grip member; a stop plate situated in said chamber and displaced downwardly from said magnet; a ball having a metallic or magnetic construction that is movable between a start configuration normally magnetically coupled to said magnet and a deployed configuration coupled to said stop plate when said shaft housing is rotated with a predetermined amount of force.
This golf simulation apparatus, already comprising a shaft housing, club head, battery, input, bend variability assembly, and a grip member with an interior chamber, includes a magnet inside the grip's chamber, a stop plate below the magnet, and a metallic ball. The ball normally sticks to the magnet. When the shaft is swung with enough force, the ball detaches and hits the stop plate, simulating the impact of a real golf ball being struck.
6. The golf simulation apparatus as in claim 1 , comprising: an electronics module positioned in said open space of said club head member and electrically connected to said battery; wherein said electronics module includes: a motion sensor configured to detect movement of said club head member, said motion sensor generating motion data; and an angular sensing assembly configured to detect a geometric angle of said shaft housing, said angular sensing assembly generating angle data.
The golf simulation apparatus has a shaft housing, club head, battery, and input. It also includes an electronics module inside the club head. This module has a motion sensor that detects the club head's movement and generates motion data. It also has an angular sensor that detects the shaft's angle and generates angle data. This data is used to analyze the swing.
7. The golf simulation apparatus as in claim 6 , comprising: a vibrator positioned proximate said upper end of said shaft housing and configured in wireless communication with said electronics module; wherein said motion sensor and said angular sensing assembly are configured to generate a vibration activation signal when said motion data and said angle data are indicative that said shaft housing is in motion and that said club head member is proximate a ground surface; and wherein said vibrator is actuated upon receiving said vibration activation signal.
The golf simulation apparatus, containing a shaft housing, club head, battery, input, motion sensor, and angular sensor as described in the previous apparatus, also includes a vibrator placed near the shaft's top. The vibrator communicates wirelessly with the electronics module. When the motion and angle sensors indicate a swing and the club head is near the ground, a vibration activation signal triggers the vibrator, providing feedback to the user.
8. The golf simulation apparatus as in claim 7 , comprising a grip member having a proximal end operatively coupled to said upper end of said shaft housing and a distal end displaced from said proximal end, said grip member defining an interior chamber; wherein said vibrator is positioned in said interior chamber of said grip member.
This golf simulation apparatus, which includes a shaft housing, club head, battery, input, motion sensor, angular sensor, vibrator, and a grip member with an interior chamber, positions the vibrator inside the grip member's interior chamber. This concentrates the vibration feedback in the user's hands.
9. The golf simulation apparatus as in claim 6 , wherein said angular sensing assembly includes a pair of accelerometers that are configured to determine an angle of said shaft housing.
In the golf simulation apparatus that contains a shaft housing, club head, battery, input, electronics module, motion sensor, and angular sensor, the angular sensor uses two accelerometers to determine the shaft housing's angle.
10. The golf simulation apparatus as in claim 9 , comprising circuitry in said electronics module configured to determine from said motion data and said angle data a trajectory of a hypothetical golf ball impacted upon an actual swing of said shaft.
This golf simulation apparatus includes a shaft housing, club head, battery, input, electronics module with motion and angle sensors using accelerometers. The device calculates the trajectory of a hypothetical golf ball based on the swing data from the sensors. Circuitry within the electronics module analyzes the motion and angle data to simulate ball flight.
11. The golf simulation apparatus as in claim 9 , wherein said pair of accelerometers includes a horizontal accelerometer and a vertical accelerometer.
The golf simulation apparatus, which contains a shaft housing, club head, battery, input, motion sensor, and angular sensor where the angular sensor utilizes a pair of accelerometers to detect the shaft housing's angle, comprises a horizontal accelerometer and a vertical accelerometer as the pair of accelerometers.
12. The golf club simulation apparatus as in claim 6 , wherein said input member includes: a digital display configured to provide a graphic user interface; a data entry component configured to receive data from a user; a memory configured to store entered data, predetermined golf club data, and programming instructions; a processor in data communication with said memory configured to execute said programming instructions.
This golf club simulation apparatus has a shaft housing, club head, battery, input device including a digital display and a data entry component. The input also includes memory for storing data, club info, and programming instructions. A processor communicates with memory and executes the instructions.
13. The golf club simulation apparatus as in claim 12 , comprising: programming in said memory that, when executed by said processor, causes said processor to determine from said motion data and said angle data a trajectory of a hypothetical golf ball impacted upon an actual swing of said shaft; programming in said memory that, when executed by said processor, causes said processor to publish data indicative of said determined trajectory to said digital display.
The golf club simulation apparatus previously outlined, which incorporates a shaft housing, club head, battery, input with a digital display, data entry, memory, and a processor, is programmed to calculate a hypothetical golf ball's trajectory based on the swing data from the motion and angle sensors. The program then displays this calculated trajectory on the digital display.
14. The golf club simulation apparatus as in claim 12 , wherein: said angular sensing assembly includes a pair of accelerometers that are configured to determine an angle of said shaft housing; said golf club simulation apparatus further comprising: programming in said memory that, when executed by said processor, causes said processor to determine, via said pair of accelerometers, if said angle of said shaft housing matches a predetermined angle associated with said club selection data and, if so, to publish an affirmative indicia to said digital display.
In the golf club simulation apparatus described earlier with a shaft housing, club head, battery, digital display, data entry component, memory, processor and angular sensing assembly employing a pair of accelerometers, the programming determines if the shaft angle matches a predetermined angle associated with the selected club. If there is a match, an affirmative indication is shown on the digital display, providing feedback on swing accuracy.
15. The golf club simulation apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein said input member includes: a digital display configured to provide a graphic user interface; a data entry component configured to receive data from a user; a memory configured to store entered data, predetermined golf club data, and programming instructions; and a processor in data communication with said memory configured to execute said programming instructions.
A golf club simulation apparatus consists of a shaft housing, a club head, and a battery. An input device includes a digital display, a data entry component, memory for storing data, club information, and programming instructions, along with a processor that executes the instructions.
16. The golf club simulation apparatus as in claim 15 , comprising programming in said memory that, when executed by said processor, causes said processor to publish digital data indicative of a swing of said shaft housing to said digital display.
The golf club simulation apparatus previously outlined, which incorporates a shaft housing, club head, battery, input with a digital display, data entry, memory, and a processor, includes software that displays digital data representing a swing of the shaft housing on the digital display. This allows visual feedback of the swing motion.
17. The golf club simulation apparatus as in claim 15 , wherein: said data entry component includes a microphone configured to receive audible data from a user, said microphone being in data communication with said processor; programming in said memory that, when executed by said processor, causes said processor to convert said audible data into club selection data and to publish said club selection data to said digital display.
The golf club simulation apparatus, which includes a shaft housing, club head, battery, input device with a digital display, data entry, memory, and a processor, employs a microphone as the data entry component for receiving audio input. The software converts this audio data into club selection data and displays it on the digital display. This permits voice-based club selection.
18. A golf club simulation apparatus, comprising: a shaft housing having opposed lower and upper ends and defining an interior area there between; a club head member coupled to said lower end of said shaft housing and defining an open space; a battery situated in one of said club head member and said shaft housing; an input member coupled to an outer surface of said shaft housing and electrically connected to said battery, said input member being configured to receive club selection data; a bend variability assembly electrically connected to said input member and including a bend linkage situated in said interior area of said shaft housing that is operably coupled to said motor, said linkage being selectively movable linearly when said motor is actuated; a mass variability assembly electrically connected to said input member and having a weight member situated in said shaft housing that is selectively movable therein according to said club selection data; wherein said mass variability assembly includes: a mass variation motor different from said bend shaft motor positioned in said interior area of said shaft housing that is electrically connected to said battery and to said input member; and a mass linkage including a threaded rod having a first end operatively coupled to said mass variation motor and a second end extending away from said mass variation motor, said weight member being operatively coupled to said threaded rod and configured to selectively move up or down along said threaded rod when said mass variation motor is actuated selectively according to said club selection data and only prior to a golf swing.
A golf club simulation apparatus includes a shaft housing, club head, battery, and an input. It features a bend variability assembly with a motor and linkage for adjusting the shaft's bend. A separate mass variability assembly uses a different motor and a threaded rod to move a weight inside the shaft. The weight's position is controlled by club selection data, allowing adjustment of swing weight characteristics prior to the golf swing.
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February 3, 2015
May 2, 2017
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